Taking to the air to target illegal dumping

YVETTE Berry has teamed up with NSW’s Environment Minister Rob Stokes to launch a campaign of helicopter surveillance to find dumping hotspots around the ACT’s borders.

“Construction, asbestos, household and garden waste, mainly generated in the populated areas of Queanbeyan and Canberra is being dumped on public land and isolated rural areas in the region,” Yvette said.

“This is an ongoing problem which is not just unsightly, but poses risks to the environment and human health. Clean-up of these sites is also financial burden on ratepayers. It requires a coordinated and persistent effort to put a stop to illegal dumping which is exactly what this program is designed to do.”

To this end a helicopter will fly over the NSW/ACT border region targeting areas where the highest rates of illegal dumping are known or suspected to occur, looking for dumping sites.

If you see what you think is illegal dumping report it to the EPA Environment Line on 131555 in NSW, or to Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 in the ACT.

Pictured is the popular dumping site of yesteryear at the abandoned Mugga Lane Zoo.